Republic of Korea Country Brief

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2 Republic of Korea Country Brief Land The Korean Peninsula extends about 1,000 km from the Asian continent into the Pacific Ocean with more than 3,000 islands dotting the coastline. Mountains cover almost 70 percent of the land mass. Administratively, Korea consists of nine provinces with 77 small cities and 88 counties. Climate Korea has a relatively dry climate. It is affected greatly by seasonal wind. The northwesterly wind hits the region in winter, while the southwesterly wind blows in summer. The average annual temperature is around 11.4 C, while the average temperature during the month of January is around 3.1 C below zero and that during the month of August is around 24.9 C. The difference over the year is 28 C. Especially the month of September is around C, and regarded as the best time to visit. History The first kingdom of Gojoseon was formed in 2333 B.C. By the first century B.C., Korea s three ancient kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla ruled the entire Korean Peninsula. In 676, the Silla Kingdom took over the other two and united the peninsula. After the United Silla period ( ), the Goryeo Dynasty came in and Buddhism as the state religion had great influence on political and cultural spheres. During the Joseon Dynasty ( ), Confucianism was adopted as state ideology and Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, was invented in Since its foundation in 1948, the Republic of Korea has become one of the most economically advanced countries in the world and is a member of the OECD. Food Traditional Korean meals are noted for the number of side dishes that accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. Kimchi, a fermented, spicy vegetable dish is usually served at every meal. Korean cuisine usually involves rich seasoning with sesame oil, doenjang (fermented soybean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, and gochujang (red chili paste). Economy Korea has also achieved the Miracle of the Han River. The Republic of Korea, once known as the Land of the Morning Calm, is now the world s 11th largest economy and the gateway to Northeast Asia. South Korea is the world leader in innovation among major economies and a leader in technologically advanced goods such as electronics, automobiles, ships, machinery, petrochemicals and robotics, headed by Samsung, LG and Hyundai-Kia. It is a member of the United Nations, WTO, OECD and G-20 major economies. It is also a founding member of APEC and the East Asia Summit, and a major non-nato ally of the United States. Currency Exchange The Korean Won (\) is the unit of Korean currency. The Korean currency consists of a ten thousand, five thousand, and one thousand won note, and five hundred, one hundred, fifty and ten won coin. The exchange rate is approximately $1 to \1,077 as of August, Foreign bank notes and traveler s check can be easily converted, and internationally recognized credit cards are accepted at almost of all hotels and shops. 02

3 Incheon Brief Location A gateway to Northeast Asia with both international port and international airport in its hand, Incheon is located in the mid-west Korea peninsula abutting the Yellow Sea. A city located 28km from the nation s capital, Seoul, lies at of east longitude and of north latitude. San Francisco, Washington, Madrid, and Teheran are found on the same latitude. Incheon International Airport Incheon International Airport is located on the west of Incheon, on Yeongjong-Yongyu Island on the West Coast. Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea, and one of the largest in Asia. The airport serves as a hub for international civilian air transportation and cargo traffic in East Asia. Incheon International Airport is considered as Asia s most technologically facilitated airport. The 2005 AETRA passenger survey, jointly administered by the IATA (International Air Transport Association) and ACI (Airports Council International), voted it the best airport in the world. Songdo International City Songdo is rising as the Gateway to Northeast Asia, a geographical hub just 40 miles southwest of Seoul and 25 miles from the North Korean DMZ industrial area. The city s plan includes fifty million square feet of office space - including a landmark 65-story Tower and Convention Center, thirty million square feet of Residential Space, ten million square feet of Retail, five million square feet of Hotel Space and ten million square feet of green space. Because of its central location within the Yellow Sea Economic Basin - which comprises an economically active population of more than 200 million with a GDP of USD 1.3 trillion - Songdo will act as the business hub for multinational companies in Northeast Asia. Venue Information RAMADA SONGDO Hotel Inchon Yeonsu-Gu DongChun-1Dong Tel: / Fax:

4 Sheraton Incheon Songdo Park Ramada Songdo Harbor Park Tel Tel Tel Tel Hotel Shuttle 6 September (15:30-19:30, every 1 hour) RAMADA SONGDO (on the half hour) - Sheraton Incheon (+10 mins.) - Songdo Park (+20 mins.) - Harbor Park (+40 mins.) - RAMADA SONGDO (on the half hour) The buses stop at each hotel for 5 mins. 7 September / 8 September Morning - 07:10 : Circulation route [Harbor Park - Songdo Park (+20 mins.) - Sheraton Incheon (+30 mins.) - RAMADA SONGDO (+40 mins.)] - 08:20 : The bus departs from each hotel (Sheraton Incheon 08:30) Evening : Circulation route [RAMADA SONGDO (18:00) - Sheraton Incheon (18:10) - Songdo Park (18:20) - Harbor Park (18:40) - RAMADA SONGDO] After dinner programs (7 September: OIE Cocktail, 8 September: Dinner hosted by MIFAFF), the buses leave for the hotels. 9 September Morning - 07:10 : Circulation route [Harbor Park - Songdo Park (+20 mins.) - Sheraton Incheon (+30 mins.) - RAMADA SONGDO (+40 mins.)] - 08:20 : The bus departs from each hotel (Sheraton Incheon 08:30) Afternoon : Circulation route [RAMADA SONGDO (14:00) - Sheraton Incheon (14:10) - Songdo Park (14:20) - Harbor Park (14:40) - RAMADA SONGDO] After Seoul city tour, the buses leave for the hotels. Transportation Information Airport Reception Booth (#36 Reception Counter) We operate the Reception booth in Incheon International Airport at #36 counter not only to welcome all participants of OIE Global Conference on Rabies Control but also to give information on shuttles and conference. Reception Booth #36 Counter Hours of operation will be from 08:00 to 23:00 on 5-7 September 04

5 Airport Shuttle Arrival : Airport Hotel (Harbor Park Songdo Park Sheraton Incheon RAMADA SONGDO) 5 September : 08:00, 15:00, 18:00, 23:00 6 September : First 08:00 ~ Last 24:00 (Every 2 hours, 9 times) 7 September : First 07:00 ~ Last 11:00 (Every 2 hours, 3 times) * Notice 1. Shuttle bus will be available in front of the Gate For airport pick-up in the middle of the night, the service does not work. In this case, take a taxi. Cost is about 40,00KRW (USD 40). 3. If you arrive in Gimpo International Airport, please move to Incheon International Airport with limousine or subway or taxi. 4. If you are coming from FMD/AI endemic country, you may be asked to go through the disinfectant procedure by the quarantine officer. It will be very much appreciated if you would cooperate with us on the procedure. Departure : Hotel (RAMADA SONGDO Sheraton Incheon Songdo Park Harbor Park) Incheon International Airport 9 September * RAMADA SONGDO (14:00) - Sheraton Incheon (14:10) - Songdo Park (14:20) - Harbor Park (14:40) - Incheon International Airport (15:10) * RAMADA SONGDO (16:00) - Sheraton Incheon (16:10) - Songdo Park (16:20) - Harbor Park (16:40) - Incheon International Airport (16:10) * RAMADA SONGDO (18:00) - Sheraton Incheon (18:10) - Songdo Park (18:20) - Harbor Park (18:40) - Incheon International Airport (18:10) 10 September (06:00 ~ 12:00:every 1 hour / 14:00 ~ 18:00: every 2 hours) * RAMADA SONGDO (on the hour) - Sheraton Incheon (+10 mins.) - Songdo Park (+20 mins.) - Harbor Park (+40 mins.) - Incheon International Airport (+70 mins.) 11 September (06:00, 08:00, 12:00) * RAMADA SONGDO (on the hour) - Sheraton Incheon (+10 mins.) - Songdo Park (+20 mins.) - Harbor Park (+40 mins.) - Incheon International Airport (+70 mins.) Taxi You can use taxies at the taxi platform in front of the both airports. Taxi services are always safe and available. From midnight to 4:00 am, a 20% extra surcharge is added to the fare for regular taxis. Translation services are available upon request and a receipt can be issued. Airport Limousine (06:00 ~ 22:00) - Harbor Park : #306 / 1F Gate 2A, 9A / takes 40min / 2,500KRW - Sheraton Incheon : KAL limousine / 1F Gate 4B exit / takes 30min / 7,000KRW - Songdo Park : KAL limousine / 1F Gate 4B or 11A / takes 30min / 7,000KRW - RAMADA SONGDO : No Available 05

6 Social Program OIE Cocktail Reception Date& Time 7 September 2011, 18:30~20:30 Place Incheon Dohobu * Departure from Songdo Ramada hotel at 17:30-17:50 Dohobu was one of the administrative organizations of the Choseon era. It was a government office which managed administration between a higher organization Mok and lower organization Gun Hyun. It is said that Incheon Dohobu had 15~16 buildings including a Gaeksa (a type of Inn) which is the symbol of the king s authority, Dongheon where a Busa managed administration and Naedongheon etc. However, currently only part of Gaeksa and Dongheon are preserved at the Moonhak Elementary school ground. Its value as a government building of the Choseon era has been recognized, appointed and is being protected as an intangible cultural asset no. 1 of Incheon. Invitation to Ministers Welcome Dinner Date & Time 8 September 2011, 19:00~21:00 Place DA VINCI, RAMADA SONGDO All registered participants and accompanying persons are cordially invited to the Dinner hosted by Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It will give you an opportunity to share a warm welcome and to mingle with colleagues in pleasant and beautiful moods. Plus, there will be an extraordinary performance, DRUMCAT which thrill the audience and express young energy and passion. Seoul City Tour Date& Time 9 September 2011, 14:00 ~ 19:00 Departure RAMADA SONGDO (Tour bus will be available in front of the hotel from 13:45.) Seoul, Korea s capital city, is a tourist destination home to a host of activities to enjoy, ranging from traditional royal palaces to trendy shopping districts. To get the most out of your stay, hop aboard the Seoul City Tour, which will introduce you to Seoul s most famous sights. Tour Course: Ramada Songdo - Kyungbokgung (Royal Palace) - Folk Museum - Cheongwhadae (Korean Presidential Residence) - Duty free shop - Jogyesa (Temple) - Ramada Songdo Tour Tips: Need the comfortable shoes. 06